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How to Clear up Disk Space

Written by Cetrom | July 11, 2024

The following article is helpful if your computer alerts you to high disk space usage on your C: Drive. We recommend keeping disk space usage below 80% to increase your device's performance and longevity. Follow these simple tips to clean up your drive and free up space.

Delete Temporary Files

  •  Press `Win + R` to open the Run dialog box.
  •   Type `cleanmgr` and press Enter. This opens the Disk Cleanup utility.
  •   Select the C: drive and click OK.
  •   Check the boxes next to the types of files you want to delete (e.g., Temporary files, Recycle Bin).
  •   Click OK and confirm by clicking Delete Files.

Clear Browser Cache

  • For Google Chrome: Click on the three dots in the top-right corner > More tools > Clear browsing data. Choose the time range and types of data to delete.
  • For Mozilla Firefox: Click on the three horizontal lines in the top-right corner > Library > History > Clear Recent History. Choose the time range and types of data to clear.
  • For Microsoft Edge: Click on the three dots in the top-right corner > Settings > Privacy, search, and Services> Clear browsing data.

Remove Old Downloads

  • Open File Explorer (`Win + E`) and navigate to the Downloads folder (usually under This PC > Downloads).
  • Delete files you no longer need by selecting them, pressing Delete, or right-clicking and choosing Delete.

Empty Recycle Bin

  • Right-click on the Recycling Bin icon on your desktop.
  • Click on "Empty Recycle Bin" in the context menu.
  • Confirm the action when prompted.

Transfer Files to External Storage

  • Connect your external hard drive or use a cloud storage service.
  • You can copy and paste or drag and drop files from your C: Drive to the external storage or cloud folder.

Check for Large Files and Folders

  • Open File Explorer (`Win + E`) and navigate to the C: Drive.
  • Click on the "Search" box in the top-right corner and type `size: gigantic` or use the search tools to sort by size.
  • Identify large files and folders you can delete or move to free up space.

If you need any further assistance, contact IT.